Noel Hoogaboom
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Noel Hoogaboom, better known both domestically and internationally as "Uncle Noel", was born in 1926 in the provincial town of New Azcapotzalco. He was the eldest child and son of Rev. Patrick Hoogaboom and Peggy Hoogaboom. The family moved to the capital, then New Tenochtitlan, when Noel was two following Patrick's appointment to parish priest of St. Apollonius. St. Apollonius Church was situated in the slums of New Tenochtitlan and Patrick Hoogaboom's Anglican dedication to social responsibility played an important part in the development of his eldest son. Noel has a bright student and, thanks to a gift from a wealthy former parishioner, attended the Calmecac of Nanauatzin in 1943 and studying Geography. It was at university that the young Noel Hoogaboom became exposed to radical politics, in particular the writings of Marx and Lenin thanks to the encouragement of his Geography master, Professor Pierre de L'Estoile. The early 1940s was a turbulent period, filled with race riots and the aftermath of the Imperial Government's shameful support of Japan during the Second World War. It was during the American occupation of that island that the young Noel Hoogaboom became friends with the Marine Captain, Edward Doggett. The captain encouraged the student to seek change in his country, and the rudimentary discussion of tactics and weapon instruction was to be invaluable in the coming civil war. Hoogaboom graduated with a double first in Geography from the Calmecac of Nanauatzin in 1946 and was expected to seek ordination in the Anglican Church of Otiacicoh like his father. Socialist revolution, however, was now the priority of the graduate and he joined the banned Communist Party. Hoogaboom, however, was never able to reconcile his Anglicanism with a party that was founded upon militant atheism and this was to ultimately result in the Noelist revolution. The redeployment of the Marine Detachment plunged the Empire into civil war that lasted until the eventual success of the young "Uncle" Noel Hoogaboom in 1953. Details from this period are sketchy, as would be expected from a nation under-going social unrest, though some details do emerge from the darkness.
The Second of March Speech
The Civil War of 1947-1953 was, originally, a war between the Otiacicoh Communist Party and the uneasy alliance of wealthy European settlers with the Mexica nobility. Dedicated though the Communists were, the government forces were too powerful and by February 1948 the Communist cause had all but collapsed. One of the few places still under Left control was the town of New Tlacopán in the remote North of the island. It was here that Hoogaboom, at the age of only 23, made his famous speech to the battered forces assembled there. The speech spurned them on to establish greater links with the Mexica peasants around them, since the Communists had been a predominantly European movement, and argued that the state should be secular but that it should also serve to protect religious belief. The new movement created following the 'Second of March' Speech was, ideologically speaking, little different from that of the Communist Party before it. The differences were in emphasis, the need to protect religion and to achieve lasting harmony between the Aztec majority and the settler minority. While the Noelist revolutionaries were to suffer further military defeats throughout 1948, the attempt to gather popular support was successful and victories began to appear after the winter of that year.
The Battle at Caracitas Junction
While the Noelist Revolution did achieve some success in the late 1940s, it was not until the battle at Caracitas Junction that the movement began the final stretch to victory. The battle took place on 9th September 1950, and involved the ambush and destruction of a pro-government division being transported north on the railway by the para-military Noel Corps. The battle itself was little more than a sloppy attack on unsuspecting conscript soldiers, but the affect was to fundamentally shatter the illusion of competency on the part of the Imperial Government. Affairs were to quickly deteriorate before the final collapse and rout of the Emperor and his family following the triumphal entry into the capital in 1953 by the 28-year old leader. Noel Hoogaboom has been the unquestioned ruler of the Fiefdom of Uncle Noel since 1953, making him one of the longest serving human Heads of State in the world. He possesses a younger brother, Arthur Hoogaboom (1930-present), and a sister, Adelaide Macmillan (1932-present, widowed of Alfred Macmillan 1927-1999). Uncle Noel also possess two nephews: Trevor Macmillan (1957- present) and Amacui-Xolotl "David" Hoogaboom (adopted son of Arthur Hoogaboom, 1954- present). His great age has also blessed him with two grand-nieces: Elspeth Macmillan (1985-present) and Ilancueitl "Mary" Hoogaboom (1983- present), as well as two grand-nephews: Xiucaque "Bertie" Hoogaboom (1994- present).
Interesting Facts:
- Hoogaboom is originally a Dutch name, though the family originated from the British city of Liverpool prior to their migration to Otiacicoh. The Dutch element of the family, therefore, is still to be explored by historians.
- Uncle Noel, for all his Socialist politics, is ironically related to the first mega-industrialist Montgomery J. Davies I.
- The Church of St. Apollonius now possesses the Hoogaboom Centre for Reconciliation and Mission, dedicated to the late Rev. Patrick.
- The 2nd March and the 9th September are national holidays respectively.
- Uncle Noel has an Otterhound called 'Ted' who is named in honour of General Edward Temazcalli, his civil war rival.
